Full course description
Course summary:
This course highlights the importance of parks and recreation to mental health and wellness, defines the concepts of mental health and wellness, identifies strategies for reducing mental health stigma in the parks and recreation context, and outlines best practices for addressing mental health situations in parks and recreation. Parks and recreation professionals will gain a basic understanding of mental health, how it applies to parks and recreation, and how to handle mental health concerns if they arise.
Course objectives:
After completing this course, learners should be able to:
- Describe the connection between parks and recreation and mental health.
- Define mental health and its relationship to wellness.
- List ways parks and recreation professionals can reduce mental health stigma.
- Address mental health concerns in parks and recreation contexts.
Course creators:
This course was designed and developed jointly by Prevention Insights and the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University.
Course topics include:
- Mental Health and Parks and Recreation
- Mental Health and Wellness
- Reducing Mental Health Stigma
- Addressing Mental Health in Parks and Recreation
Elements of the course:
- Informational text
- Engaging videos
- Real-life examples
- Supplemental reference materials
- Final assessment
This course is self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the course as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing all course content and activities, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of the quiz, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Recommended background
There are no prerequisites for this course; all are welcome.
How to access:
Upon enrolling, you will receive instructions and the link to the Canvas course. Note: When you register, you will receive an email invitation. Be sure to accept that invitation, or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.
Enrollees can move through content modules at their own pace within the course timeframe.